Throughout the tropical world the Gliricidia tree has been acknowledged as a boon for the care it imparts to associated crops as well as to farmers for whom it is both a source of fuel-wood as well as for abundantly restoring fertility. Also termed ‘Madre-de-Cacao’ (Mother of Cocoa) in tropical America, Gliricidia sepium is popular for its very rapid growth, shade, and lovely pink flowers in season.

The LW –nursery system (so named after its originator, Lionel Weerakoon of the SEWALANKA foundation in Sri-Lanka) was devised towards further accelerating the multiplication of Gliricidia through the alternating wet and dry seasons of
the tropical year.